Central Coast Travel Highlights
I moved into my little brother’s studio apartment in San Luis Obispo for the start of the summer. Now more than ever, I crave independence and adventure. I simply can’t live out my early 20s in the same old suburban hometown with washed-up dreams. It stunts my creativity and growth. Granted, there are a lot of benefits to moving back home (ex. saving money on rent, food, and gas). But I am also bored of the same old routine. I am never one for the mundane. It deprives my soul and entire being.
This brief move to the Central Coast was exactly what I needed. San Luis Obispo comes with a lot of old memories. It is about high time I create some new ones. This city (SLO) lives up to its name. It is “slo” living. I love going on morning strolls to the SLO Arboretum. I love the feel of the cool sea breeze on my face. I love the quirky and eclectic charm of downtown. It is far from the hustle and bustle that I am used to back home. There is more time for peace, quiet, and deep reflection. It is the perfect little get away.
After living here for the last week and half, I want to share some of my favorite places that I have visited thus far. Here are my central coast travel highlights:
1. Downtown San Luis Obispo
Downtown San Luis Obispo has a lot going on. On Thursday nights, they host their farmer’s market. The food at the market was so so good. My brother and I got elotes (Mexican corn), a sausage sandwich, and a pulled pork sandwich. There were also several musicians/bands busking in the different street intersections. It was so fun and lively. The boutique stores in downtown are to die for. One of my favorite past times is window shopping. In SLO, there is a whole collection of stores to visit. Here are some of our favorite stores/shops that we visited:
- Phoenix Books — Antique Bookstore
- HumanKind Fair Trade — Handmade Home Decor
- SLO Gallery — Unique Art Prints
- Lokum — Turkish Delight
- Ambiance — Clothing Boutique
2. Leaning Pine Arboretum
Leaning Pine Arboretum is in the back of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s campus. Although it is hidden from view, the arboretum is the perfect place to spend your summer afternoons in. My cousin, brother, and I brought a bag packed with snacks and a bottle of wine for a little picnic. There is a wooden gazebo that you can rest in if you can’t stand the heat. I love going on walks to the arboretum if I want a breath of fresh air. It’s the perfect peaceful sanctuary to be in.
3. Avila Beach
Avila Beach is a definite must-see. The pier stretches across the ocean for those of you who want to take in the ocean view without getting your feet wet. In the Central Coast, it’s really difficult to find free parking. But there is plenty of free street parking at Avila Beach which is a plus. The markets and shops in the area are great spots to explore too. There is a great acai bowl place near Avila Beach that reminds me a lot of Blue Bowl from back home. If you’re looking for a refreshing treat at the beach, I highly recommend making a pit stop to KravaBowl which is located in the bottom floor of Avila Market.
4. McWay Waterfall
We made a trip to Big Sur for a day and wanted to see all of the iconic sights. One of those sights is McWay Waterfall which is tucked in Julia Pfeiffer State Park. The view is definitely worth it. To see the waterfall, it is a short 10-minute walk. I would recommend going earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds. There are plenty of trails to explore at Julia Pfeiffer State Park, but we were only interested in seeing the waterfall. If that is your main goal, I would find parking on the side of Highway 1. We parked along the highway, but I can’t say for certain that this is legal (lol). So, park at your own risk! Parking at Julia Pfeiffer State Park is $10/day, and there are no options to do it by the hour.
5. Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden in Santa Cruz was such a unique hiking spot. As you can see, I was not dressed properly for a hike. It was a spur of the moment decision to explore the forest. But even with a white dress and Keds on, the hike was very doable. It’s relatively short with no steep incline. Plus, I am a big fan of the forest. I love tall trees, rivers, and the beautiful sounds of nature. The walk to the Garden of Eden provided all of that. What makes the walk all the more exciting is the railroad tracks that cut through the forest. If you are lucky enough, you’ll get to see a train pass through. This was by far one of my favorite spots in Santa Cruz.
Make sure to subscribe to my mailing list for more of my travel highlights! You can find more life-related posts here. My next stop is Seattle, Washington. Stay tuned for more updates on my adventures.
Emily
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